QUARANTINE BLOG # 194

October 10, 2020

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh decided a dramatic diorama that has been on display for more than a century should remain out of public view while it considers ethical issues about its accuracy and appropriateness.  The museum’s interim director, Stephen Tonsor, says the scene, “Lion Attacking a Dromedary,” which vividly depicts a lion attacking a camel and the man riding it, has disturbed some because it depicts violence against a man described as an Arab courier.  The subject’s costume has been determined to be “derived from” at least five separate North African cultures.

The work by French naturalist and taxidermist Edouard Verreaux and his brother, Jules Verreaux, was made for the Paris Exposition of 1867 and has been at the Pittsburgh museum since 1899.  Museum officials are considering whether to display the diorama in a way that makes it available for viewing but also easy to avoid for those who don’t want to see it.

**  Another trip in the Way Back Machine to look at the “normal” things that youth did back in the 1960s, and how our parents didn’t bat an eye.

Cycling Without Helmets:  Kids were certainly not driven around by their mothers and fathers in the ‘60s.  They either had to walk or cycle, and cycling was the popular choice for sure.  Just about every father taught their kid how to ride a bicycle.  Scraped knees and elbows were common, and the occasional bumped head.  Helmets came along much later, but if you were seen with a helmet, you were probably a giant dork.

No Safety Nets on Trampolines:  Today this seems like a total hazard.  Strangely back then, it didn’t seem to faze parents that much.  As you can imagine, they weren’t short of injuries.  If ever there was a trampoline in the neighborhood, all the kids would zoom over as fast as possible, only to come home limping and wailing from the all bruises.  Did it stop them? Not for a moment.

**  Orvon Grover “Gene” Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), the grandson of a Methodist preacher, nicknamed The Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, and rodeo performer.  He personified the straight-shooting hero – honest, brave, and true.  His singing cowboy films were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience.  

In addition to his signature song, “Back in the Saddle Again,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po6V79z9OdE Autry is remembered for his Christmas holiday songs, most especially his biggest hit “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnLcGkafOik as well as “Frosty the Snowman,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and “Up on the House Top.”

His first big hit was “That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine.”  It sold 5,000,000 copies, and was featured in his movie “Tumbling Tumbleweeds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI2uSIQOGp0.  In this clip from the movie, Gene doesn’t finish the song because a fight breaks out.

Gene wrote “Here Comes Santa Claus” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCCf0OvmmWg after being the Grand Marshal of the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (now the Hollywood Christmas Parade). He recorded his version of the song in 1947 and it became an instant classic.

Autry made 640 recordings, including more than 300 songs written or co-written by himself. His records sold more than 100 million copies and he has more than a dozen gold and platinum records, including the first record ever certified gold.

Gene Autry was the first of the singing cowboys in films, but was succeeded as the top star by Roy Rogers while Autry served in the Army Armed Forces during World War II. When Gene told Republic Pictures of his intentions to join the military during World War II, Republic threatened to promote Roy Rogers as “King of the Cowboys” in Gene’s absence, which it did. 

In response to his many radio listeners, Autry created the Cowboy Code, or Ten Cowboy Commandments. These tenets promoted an ethical, moral, and patriotic lifestyle. According to the code:

The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.

He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

He must always tell the truth.

He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.

He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

He must help people in distress.

He must be a good worker.

He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.

He must respect women, parents, and his nation’s laws.

The Cowboy is a patriot.

In 1960, when Major League Baseball announced plans to add an expansion team in Los Angeles, Autry became the owner of the franchise. The team, initially called the Los Angeles Angels upon its 1961 debut, moved to suburban Anaheim in 1966, and was renamed the California Angels, then the Anaheim Angels from 1997 until 2005, when it became the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. 

The number 26 (as in 26th man) was retired by the Angels in Autry’s honor. The number reflected that baseball’s rosters are 25-man strong, so Autry’s unflagging support for his team made him the 26th member. When the Angels finally won their first World Series championship in 2002, star outfielder Tim Salmon held Autry’s cowboy hat aloft during the on-field celebration, and the public address system played his hit song, “Back in the Saddle Again.”

**   Today’s close is by Neil Anderson.

A good summary of God's goal for you is found in 2 Peter 1:5-7 https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A5-7&version=NCV.  Your primary role is to diligently adopt God's character goals – goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love – and apply them to your life.  Focusing on God’s goals will lead to ultimate success: success in God’s terms.  Peter promises that, as these qualities increase in your life through practice, you will be useful and fruitful, and you will never stumble.  That’s success!

There is no mention in this list of talents, intelligence or gifts which are not equally distributed to all believers.  Your worth is based on your identity in Christ and your growth in character, both of which are equally applicable to every Christian.  Those who are not committed to God’s goals for character will never fulfill their primary purpose for being here.  According to Peter, they have forgotten who they are.  They are out of touch with their true identity and purpose in Christ.

God loves you and will never leave you.  You are forgiven by God and are His child.  You have established your identity in Christ and live today in union with God.  You are becoming increasingly characterized by the fruit of the Spirit.  God has not called you to be a failure, so follow His scriptural formula and be the success He has called you to be.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that I can do all things today through Your Son, Jesus, who strengthens me.

-30-